1. Allow yourself ten minutes of Me Time everyday for privacy, quiet, and introspection.
2. Always be early. Allow 15 minutes of extra time to get to appointments and never assume the airport won’t be busy this time of year.
3. Always set up a just in case plan.
4. Appearance. Do something that will improve your self-confidence. Buy an article of clothing such as a shirt, that is a bit over priced but looks really good on you. If you look good you feel good.
5. Ask questions / Confirm. Repeat back directions, confirm meeting plans and ask questions to make sure you know what time, where and what is expected of you.
6. Choose your environment. One of the most obvious ways to avoid unnecessary stress is to select an environment which won’t be overly stressful for your type of personality. If you hate desk jobs, don't get a desk job. If you hate to talk politics, gently tell the person that you don’t enjoy talking politics.
7. Diversion. When stress is getting in the way of getting a job done, doing something else until there is less stressful feelings.
8. Do nothing. Seriously, after work or when you have some free time, do nothing. Take that moment to breath.
9. Do something for somebody else. No help is too small. Buy someone a scoop of ice cream, make dinner for someone who doesn’t cook or offer a ride to someone without a car. The feeling that something little you did helped someone else immensely reminds us that all of us need help during our lives.
10. Doesn’t work? Fix it or get a new one. The little things can make huge stressful moments. If your alarm doesn’t go off, your late for work. If your car windshield wipers don’t work well, it’s dangerous… get it fixed or get new ones.
11. Don’t be afraid to say NO! Saying "no" to extra projects, invitations and outings you know you don't have the time or finances for always gives an instant breather relief.
12. Don’t skip lunch. Lunch is a break for both mind and body. If the two are not working correctly, they’ll both collapse.
13. Don’t wait too long. Get gas before the red light comes on. Buy stamps when you have only three left, buy more bus tokens or buy a bus pass on your pay date before the first.
14. Every other day, do something you really enjoy. Whether it’s a scoop of ice cream, a walk at your near by park or a weekly Happy Hour.
15. Get enough sleep. Try using an alarm clock to remind you to go to bed.
16. Get up and stretch periodically if your job requires that you sit for extended periods. Step outside, walk down a flight of stairs and take the elevator back up… the point is to get up and move.
17. Have an optimistic view of the world. Find the good things when bad things seem to out number you.
18. Help. Learn to delegate responsibility to capable others.
19. If you know or suspect there will be a line, bring a paperback book. A paperback can make waiting in line tolerable.
20. If your memory or if your days are hectic like mine, don't rely on your memory. Write down or enter appointment times into your cell phone and set an alarm.
21. Let the steam out. Writing or type away your thoughts and feelings in a journal (a paper bound book or online) This can help you clarify things and can give you a renewed perspective. One popular method is to write down your negative thoughts and the horrible words you would have like to said to “XXXX”, than burn the paper and let the fire and wind take away those negative words.
22. Listening & brainstorming. Discuss a problems with a trusted friend and listen to a potential different perspective. They could help you clear your mind of confusion so that a solution can be found.
23. Make duplicates of all keys. Place a home key in a plastic box and than bury it in secret spot near by but not where they could easily be found. Give duplicate keys to someone you trust and carry a copy of your home key in your wallet or in a magnetic box so you can place the secret magnetic box to the underside of your car. If you lose your keys, there's a copy or at least you have a copy somewhere inconvenient but available.
24. Make friends with non-drama kings/ queens. Nothing can get you into the habit of “frantic” than associating with chronic drama queens / kings. .
25. Organize: Ask a friend to help you get your home / workspace organized so that you will always know where things are.
26. Practice preventive maintenance for expesive equipment such as cars, computers, cell phone, laptops ect….
27. Prepare for the morning the evening before. Make tomorrow’s lunch, plan to wear and put your work stuff on the table so your able to just grab & go.
28. Relax. The world will not end if you forget to pay a utility bill, the Fashion Police is just a joke and your home doesn’t need to be perfectly organized, that’s a preference not a necessity.
29. Schedule a no appointment day. Once a week or every other week – have a day where you have no appointments and no appointments will be made to see you. This way you can work or play as you see fit. This doesn’t mean that anyone can just show up to see you. It means that no one will be seen or heard unless that is what you want on that day.
30. Take a hot bath (or a cool one in summertime) or take some Me Time in a sauna to relieve tension.
31. Turn your cell phone off. Take a long bath, read a book, or just plain well sleep without worrying if your phone is going to start ringing. If you feel you absolutely can not do that, than either turn on your pc and utilize your instant massager Away messages or turn your cell phone on vibrate, than screen your calls.
32. Wake up fifteen minutes earlier in the morning.. This way mishaps are less nerve-racking.
33. Wash your car. I try to remember to do this during the week. This ay I almost always have the entire car self wash to myself. I’m alone with my car, some soft tunes playing and alone with my thoughts as I get rid of the trash in my car and in my head.
34. Yoga. Hundreds of people have made they’re own declarations to how less stressful their life is after beginning a yoga routine.
35. You Power! For every one thing that doesn’t go the way it was supposed to, there are five and potentially more good things that has gone right.
